George w



(No Modei.)

G. Wi HORNE.

Caster.

No. 242,648. Patent ed June 7,1881.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. HORNE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAMIRELAN, SR.,-'OF SAME PLACE.

CASTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,648, dated June 7,1881. Application filed April 5, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE W. HORNE, asubject ofthe Queen of Great Britain, residing at San Francisco, in thecounty of San Fran- -cisco and State of California, have invented In theannexed drawings, in which like letters indicate like parts in theseveral views, Figure l is a plan view of the undersurface of thecaster, partly in section and with the under ring removed. Fig. 2 is asection on the line a: m. Fig. 3 is aview of the upper surface of thecenter ring or plate; and Fig. 4 is a view of the under surface of theupper plate with lower ring attached.

The body of the caster consists of a flanged plate, A, having a stem orpintle, A. This plate is provided on its under surface with recessedlugs a a, that are cast against theinner side of the flange a, and formwedge-shaped bearings for the journals of therollers B. These rollersare made tapering toward each end, and are supported by theirjournals 1) in the bearings a, a. When in position the rollers are heldin place by the lugs or caps cc on the ring 0. After the ball D is putin position it is secured by the ring E, which is connected with theupper flanged plate, A, by bent arms 6 e e, that are fastened thereto byscrews d. These arms also hold the ring 0 in place.

This caster is particularly adapted foruse on piano-legs and other heavyarticlesof furniture.

The arrangement of the rollers B, which are preferably five in number,is such that friction of the same with the surface of the ball D isgreatly diminished and the operation of the parts .rendered more easyand eflicient than when a greater or less number of the rollers areemployed. The rollers are also superior to wheels, as they will revolvefreely, whatever the direction may be in which the caster is moved.

The frame of the caster may be made of any suitable metal, in two ormore castings, as desired, the center ring, (3, being cast separately orin connection with the ring E and arms 6, as found convenient.

If desired,theringE maybe dispensed with, the ball D being then held'inplace by the bent arms 6 alone, which, in that case,may be cast eitherupon the plate A or ring 0. By'employing the ring E, however, a bettereffect is produced, as the arms 6 are thereby strengthened, and theirlower ends prevented from becoming entangled with or abrading the carpetor other surfaces over which the caster is rolled.

The caster is preferably attached to the furniture by means of a stem orpintle in the usual manner 5 but the pintle may be dispensed with andthe caster attached by screws passing-through the plate A.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the flanged plate A, having bearings a, rollers B,center ring, 0, provided with caps 0, ball D, lower ring, E, and bentarms 6, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE WILLIAM HORNE.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM IRELAN, Sn, OTIS'V. SAWYER.

